The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to enjoy classical music that you only hear once a year. Below are some Christmas-themed programs where local symphony and chamber orchestras are joined by solo singers, choirs and more.

David Archuleta wanted his new Christmas album to have a 1940s and ’50s vibe. (Courtesy Photo)

During past orchestral shows, the Tennessee-based vocalist found “the experience of sharing the stage with so many other talented musicians was powerful.” This rare Inland Empire appearance is slated to feature songs off both his Christmas albums. Archuleta is particularly excited to do selections from the new collection “Winter in the Air” because they were geared toward “a classic 1940s and ‘50s feel with string arrangements…I really love singing (the luxurious title track) live and bringing people into a winter wonderland,” he said in a recent interview.

Archuleta went for “an old school style” in the vein of Nat King Cole and “timeless feel” on the new album. He co-penned vibrant opener “Christmas Everyday” alongside Grammy-nominated songwriter Dave Barnes (Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett).

“I wanted to make the songs feel familiar, not just by the melody and lyric, but through the arrangements. “I had a lot of fun with it and the strings have that happy ‘classic Christmas’ feel to them.”

San Bernardino Symphony

The program’s first half, with guest conductor Dean Anderson, will include music by Tchaikovsky, Vaughn Williams, Rimsky-Korsakov, Anderson and a Nilo Alcala world premiere. Archuleta performs during the second half.

Tomasz Golka will conduct the orchestra in Christmas and Hanukkah music by Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Wendel and Vince Guaraldi (“A Charlie Brown Christmas”) as well as other seasonal favorites and singalong carols.

George A. Paul, whose first concert was Neil Diamond at The Fabulous Forum in 1983, has written about entertainment since the early 1990s. He also posts music news, reviews and interviews at newwavegeo.blogspot.com.